3 - The Bowery_PUBLIC COMMENT_RAMSEY

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5.0 Environmental Analysis 5.2 Biological Resources Avion Project SEIR Page 5.2-11 Sensitive Wildlife: The San Diego desert woodrat nest observed on-site occurs approximately 50 feet east of the grading limit and 45 feet east of where the limit fence would be placed. Therefore, impacts to the San Diego desert woodrat would not occur. Potential impacts to species with a moderate potential for occurrence (e.g., Belding’s orange- throated whiptail, coastal whiptail, southern California rufous-crowned sparrow) are not expected to affect a large number of individuals; therefore, any impacts to these species are not considered significant. Potential impacts to the Cooper’s hawk would be considered significant. Direct impacts could occur to Cooper’s hawk and/or rufous-crowned sparrow that have a moderate to high potential to occur within the project area due to mass grading and vegetation removal. Impacts to these species identified as listed, candidate, sensitive, or special status in the MSCP are considered significant and require biological monitoring and avoidance of typical nesting periods. d. Jurisdictional Waters and Wetlands The project would not impact any federal, state, or city jurisdictional waters, including wetlands. The major access private drive into the project site would cross the eastern drainage course with an arch-culvert type bridge crossing resulting in no permanent impacts to the bed or bank of the drainage. The drainage course would remain in its natural soft-bottom configuration. Grading limits along the western and eastern boundaries would not encroach into the ephemeral streambeds or wetlands. In accordance with San Diego Municipal Code Section 143.0141, a wetland buffer that ranges between 171 feet and 186 feet is being maintained on the eastern side of the project to protect and maintain the functions and values of the remaining on-site wetland areas (Figure 5.2-4). The buffer is located between the jurisdictional wetlands and the edge of the development to avoid and minimize any indirect edge effects to the wetlands. The buffer would include the manufactured 2.2:1 to 1.5:1 slopes to the east of the project, approximately 30 to 96 feet tall. These steep slopes would be revegetated with native species and also function as a barrier to pedestrians as the slopes would be too steep to walk. The wetland buffer distances would protect and maintain the biological, chemical, and physical functions of the wetlands. 5.2.4.3 Significance of Impacts a. Vegetation Communities Impacts to coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, and non-native grassland would be significant. b. Sensitive Plants No impacts to sensitive plant species would occur.